Is the .40 S&W really all that much more effective than the 9mm? .45 ACP penetration is awfully pathetic, but it's still a good anti-personal caliber. Out of these three calibers, which would be the best one overall?

fredj338

04-29-2012 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified
(Post 18906966)

Is the .40 S&W really all that much more effective than the 9mm? .45 ACP penetration is awfully pathetic, but it's still a good anti-personal caliber. Out of these three calibers, which would be the best one overall?

As measured in what??? Sure, hard barriers, everyone knows smaller dia penetrate better. In tissue, the 45acp offers mor ethan enough penetration w/ any bullet wt. Which caliber would depend on what bullets I am required to use. With good JHP, they are all too close to call. With FMJ, I would be taking the largest possible diameter since I get no expansion. Bigger holes are better. Bigger holes going deeper are better still. After all, one of the reasons to use a good JHP in the 9mm is to get the frontal diameter larger to increase terminal peroformance & to limit penetration.

257 roberts

04-29-2012 15:28

I have all three calibers and carry all three at different times,my 9mm ammo is Corbon 115gr +P, 40 is 180gr Speer Gold Dot and my 45acp is 230gr Federal HST,it really isn't an issue with me,I'm ok with any of them.

Merkavaboy

04-29-2012 15:46

With proper JHP ammo, all service calibers perform equally the same.

dvrdwn72

04-29-2012 15:48

a .40,,,, in a little bit bigger case of course:whistling:

Batesmotel

04-29-2012 15:55

Which ever one you can effectively and repeatedly put on target. In real world shootings the difference is minuscule.

unit1069

04-29-2012 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batesmotel
(Post 18907125)

Which ever one you can effectively and repeatedly put on target. In real world shootings the difference is minuscule.

That's my opinion also. I'm not a big fan of .40S&W because of the harsh recoil and although .45ACP seems more manageable to me I don't need another caliber to feed. I have a lot of confidence in 9mm for personal self-defense scenarios and I do believe statistics bear that out, just like they bear out the other two named calibers.

cowboy1964

04-29-2012 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified
(Post 18906966)

.45 ACP penetration is awfully pathetic

It is?

And if you are worried about too little penetration: .357 Sig :supergrin:

Brucev

04-29-2012 18:56

I shot them all in a variety of pistols. They are all fine. Load them with FMJ's and they all about equally ineffective. If they hit a nerve, bone, organ, the result will be better. With quality high-performance ammunition, they will all be very effective ... if hits are made on nerves, bone, organs,... you know.

Kentguy

04-29-2012 20:06

Amplified,

“Which would be best”? Are you asking for concealed carry purposes? I carry a 9mm G26 with 2 round extension on the magazine that gives me 12 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 124g JHP;

This type of bullet is a devastating round and is more than most people will ever need. Beyond this… well in my opinion you’re just into over-kill (no pun intended).

James Dean

04-29-2012 21:26

I would use any of them in JHP for self defense.

tsmo1066

04-29-2012 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified
(Post 18906966)

Is the .40 S&W really all that much more effective than the 9mm? .45 ACP penetration is awfully pathetic, but it's still a good anti-personal caliber. Out of these three calibers, which would be the best one overall?

45ACP penetration against hard barriers leaves something to be desired, but in soft tissue it does just fine.

All three calibers will do their job with quality JHPs.

M&P Shooter

04-29-2012 23:40

9mm vs .40 S&W vs .45 ACP

I personally go with the larger calibers because if a jhp fails to expand I still make a bigger hole.

barth

04-30-2012 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merkavaboy
(Post 18907105)

With proper JHP ammo, all service calibers perform equally the same.

+1
Using the best modern high tech SD ammo
any service caliber will serve you well.

Find out what you are most proficient with and use that.

eracer

04-30-2012 06:08

Really? Caliber wars in the title? A discussion that is held over and over and over and over and over over and over and over and over over and over and over and over?

scccdoc

04-30-2012 07:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified
(Post 18906966)

Is the .40 S&W really all that much more effective than the 9mm? .45 ACP penetration is awfully pathetic, but it's still a good anti-personal caliber. Out of these three calibers, which would be the best one overall?

Given today's modern ammo, the most critical factor is the gun which you are most accurate..................

Amplified

04-30-2012 09:48

I'm leaning towards the .40 S&W out of these three. With Double Tap's 135 grain load, it's getting over 1,400 fps out of a 4" barrel. Pretty good!

scccdoc

04-30-2012 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amplified
(Post 18909767)

I'm leaning towards the .40 S&W out of these three. With Double Tap's 135 grain load, it's getting over 1,400 fps out of a 4" barrel. Pretty good!

I shoot a .40 (22 & 27 ), I don't see myself changing ............

SDGlock23

04-30-2012 12:29

I'm a .40 and .45 guy myself, and 10mm too. 800x throws 135gr Nosler JHP's at over 1550 fps from my bone stock G23. I think the .40 has the edge over the other two (9 and .45), but I do have those too, I just think the .40 has more potential.

tuica

04-30-2012 14:01

Really????

If one can find a professional gun writer that will echo this notion - then I will welcome it as the gospel truth! Cheers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by barth
(Post 18908726)

+1
Using the best modern high tech SD ammo
any service caliber will serve you well.